Operations Manager - Chemical Manufacturing

Location: Cheshire
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing / COMAH
Employment: Permanent

KPI Recruiting is recruiting for an experienced Operations Manager to join a well-established specialist chemical manufacturing business operating within a COMAH-regulated environment.

This is a key leadership position for a hands-on Operations Manager who can lead from the front, develop people and drive improvements across culture, capability, processes and operational performance.

We are looking for someone who understands that sustainable operational improvement comes from getting both people and processes right.

The Role

As Operations Manager, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day performance of the manufacturing operation, working closely with production teams and wider site functions to create a safe, engaged and continuously improving environment.

A major focus of the role will be culture change and people development. You will assess current ways of working, identify opportunities for improvement and build greater ownership, accountability and consistency across the operation.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing manufacturing teams within a COMAH-regulated environment

• Driving positive culture change, improving engagement, accountability and ownership

• Coaching and developing supervisors, team leaders and operational employees

• Reviewing skills and capability and implementing effective training and development plans

• Improving staffing structures, resource planning and deployment

• Leading continuous improvement and process improvement initiatives

• Improving productivity, efficiency, quality and operational consistency

• Working closely with Engineering, HSE, Quality and Supply Chain teams

• Ensuring operations meet required safety, environmental, quality and regulatory standards

• Using KPIs and operational data to identify issues and drive sustainable improvements

• Maintaining a strong shop-floor presence, building relationships and understanding operational challenges first-hand

About You

We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager or Production Manager from chemical, process manufacturing or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.

You will be a practical and visible leader with a strong track record of developing teams, changing culture and improving operational performance.

Experience within a COMAH facility would be highly advantageous, alongside experience of:

• Culture change and employee engagement

• Continuous improvement and process optimisation

• Training, coaching and developing operational teams

• Staffing, resource planning and workforce development

• Improving operational standards and accountability

• Working within safety-critical or highly regulated manufacturing environments

This role will suit someone who enjoys being close to the operation, working directly with teams and making improvements happen rather than managing solely from behind a desk.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join an established specialist manufacturing business where you will have the scope to make a genuine impact on people, culture, processes and operational performance.

For further information or a confidential discussion, apply today or contact KPI Recruiting.

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